Mandatory Reporting

 The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) requires industry to provide information to the Minister of Health and to the person from whom the company obtained the product, if applicable, regarding the following consumer product safety incidents:

• An occurrence that resulted or could reasonably be expected to have resulted in death or serious adverse health effects;
  
  
• A defect or characteristic that may reasonably be expected to result in death or serious adverse health effects;
  
  
• Inadequate labelling or instructions that could lead to such results; and /or
  
  
• A recall order or other corrective measure initiated for human health or safety reasons.

Mandatory reporting of adverse events, dangerous defects and / or known recalls involving consumer products is an important new requirement of the CCPSA. This past year, to help industry and consumers become aware of and understand these new provisions, Health Canada posted information and consulted with consumers, manufacturers, business associations and local retailers and distributors from across the country. Their input, summarised below, is contributing to the development of guidance documents that will assist affected industry in knowing their obligations and complying with the CCPSA.

Guidance Document

• Guidance on Mandatory Incident Reporting under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act - Section 14 Duties in the Event of an Incident

Consultations

• Consultation on Draft Guidance for Mandatory Incident Reporting under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act - completed April 8, 2011
• Consultation on the Mandatory Reporting Policy for the Proposed Canada Consumer Product Safety Act - completed October 29, 2010
  • Mandatory Reporting - Feedback

For More Information

• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act - Information for Retailers
• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act: Preparing and Maintaining Documents
• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act: Protecting Consumers through Product Safety
• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act Quick Reference Guide